From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
Left to right: West Virginia (WV) State Senator Chris Rose; WV State Senator Mark Maynard; Tierra Hubbard, SEMA senior manager for state government affairs; WV State Senator Ben Queen.
In a major victory for vehicle choice, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey on April 24 signed into law SB 573, a landmark automotive bill strongly supported by SEMA that prohibits the state from limiting the use, sale or purchase of motor vehicles based on their energy source. The bill effectively blocks potential future bans on internal-combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
SEMA's position on electric vehicle (EV) mandates is clear: innovation should be driven by consumer choice and industry ingenuity, not by restrictive government mandates. Government, therefore, should remain technology neutral.
West Virginia's law is a significant win for the specialty equipment industry. It ensures that businesses can continue to develop and sell performance- and emissions-related products for all types of vehicles, including gasoline, diesel, hybrid and electric. It preserves West Virginians' freedom to choose the vehicles that best suit their needs while supporting a diverse, thriving aftermarket industry.
SEMA will continue to advocate for similar laws at both the state and federal levels, protecting consumer rights and promoting an open, competitive landscape for automotive innovation.
For more information, please contact Tierra Hubbard, SEMA's senior manager for state government affairs, at tierrah@sema.org.
This story was originally published on Thursday, May 1.
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